Sheet metal slitter



Jan. 4, 1955 F. L. M QuARRlE SHEET METAL SLITTER 5 She'etS-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1950 mmm mm m

QN M

M f K r w r H a Q Jan. 4, 1955 F. L. M QUARRIE 2,598,661

SHEET METAL SLITTER Filed March 24. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I l I l FRED 1.. MAC QUAP/PIE, INVENTOR.

HERZ/G & CALDWELL,

A TTORWEVS.

&44/

Jan. 4, 1955 F. 1.. M uARRlE:

SHEET METAL SLITTER -5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 24. 1950 Jan. 4, 1955 F. M UARRlE 2,693,661

SHEET METAL SLITTER Filed March 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FRED L. MAC QUARRIE,

l/VVE N TOR.

HUEBNE'R, BEEHLER, WORREL,

HERZ/G 8 CALDWELL,

i A TTORNEYS.

AER/KM United States Patent -'69 2,698,661 SHEET METAL sLmER Fr'edL:MacQuari'ie; hosaAngeleseCalifiar" f Application March-=24, 1950, SeriaDNoi 151,648

9 Claims. crim 61) My inventionfrelate's to a strip and sheet metalslitter and resides particularly in an improvement in the'designf of'a slitteran'd cornbination'of new andnovelfeatures rendering the'slitter far more efii'cient and "capable" of fslit ting much wider coils or sheets of metal than'heretofdre practical; p

A large number of industries and manufactured 'products'"req'uire coils of .relatively narrow high precision metal strip 'st'ock." Itfis the general practice-inrolling" thisfinaterial on therolling" m'illsito' use the-maximum? width fcoils possible commensuratejwith' the size *and" width of the'mill: After therolling' operationliit is also'j general practice where narrower widths than 'th'o'se rolled are required; to run thewvide coils throughfa slit-' tin'gi m'a'chinef'which 'slits"the ;aforementioned wide coils into'specified multiple widths .and: in so doingjnain'taiu high precision throughout" the coil or "sheet length."

To describe ,a slitter in its simplest-form wouldbe to place two 'shafts'or arbors parallel one above" the other. Omthese shafts or arbors areidisposed"circular-knives of Y 1 suitable diameter and thickness "and held apart from each other onTeach-jjshaft or arborby' uitable=='sp'acersand f shirns;" the width "that "the knives areseparated by the ill spacers and'i'shinis"being' "the"appr oximate width 1 of lthe finished strips required. 1 These shafts'onarb'ors are supported on bearings at each end. It therefore?follows-" th'at'th'e' wider the strip or sheet required to'be slit the greater the stresson the" shafts or f'arbors;particularly at'the center where the maximum strain orspririg-taks place. andlwher'ethezaforemeritioned shafts or' arbor's are'fsupportedat eachendonlyi. Duetothe stre'ss'es set'4 up as described. in theforegoing; it has been thegen'er'a1 custom and practice infclesi gning.slitters to inc'rea'sethe diameter of 'theshafts' or arborsff-asthe*widtli"of ma-' terial to be' slit increased in order"to"red|iee th'e spring in] the shafts orarbo'rsi- When -this,' is do'rie 'it is 'al's necessary to increase"the' diamet'e'r of the-' knive's and spacers with consequent additional large expenseclue to' the high cost of these"precisiontools; Even with the increase in diameter of the sha-fts; orarbors-spring-=*is notfeliminated but merely reduced.- Under-such cdri- .55 ditions' precision slitting becomes a problem.

It has long -been-the desire,of-thesslitting=industry'toe have a slitting -machinewhich Will slitmaterial of any input-width'and up *to the maxirmungauge in thickness, with a, minimum of spring or' distortionfin the sha'fts f or arbors; whichis the-main cause of inaccu'racy Iand. damage to the edges of the material beingslitfltds thereforef'one :of the objects of my invention-to produce a slitter which will slit-coils of striporsheet stockup. to or in excess. of 90' without :permitting'vany' spring-.1 or sag-in the shafts or arbors carryingthe slitting knives.

It'is also among the objects of my inventionT-to pron vicle a slitting machine1 capable of handling stockflfofl i much wider width than heretofore possible'without"in-" creasing the size of the shafts or'arb'ors t would thereforebe possible .to use smaller diameter slitting knives and spacers, thereby materially dcreasing tli cost' of such a machine. It'would tlierefoi'e folltiw' th at 'where'a there are severalslittiiig machines in an industry it would be possible to standardize thesi of thslitting kniVes and. spacers so that" theyuvou be "interchangeable on allfhia'chines, thereby -"eitejctiri a further saving in in veritory'and c ostof these items; p

In 1 addition to the conventional housing-bearings at F eachend"of the shaftsor 'arh6r's;this slitter is equipped "80 with additional auxiliary adjustable heavy duty' rolle r" bearing units; 'both'topand bottom, between the main bearings supporting the shafts'or arborsr These -are* carried in a heavy castdouble truss ontop'and by a special trussed cast base on the bottom.. This is in etfect equiv alent to a four-high millarrang'ement inseparating force and. its effect in reducing .springv Any number'ofthe'seunits may 'beused and same can'be placed as clo'seas 3" apart along the shaftsor arbors.

For'instance, if"the'se--units"were placed-.9" apart on a 36"- wide slittenit would be equivalent in 'supportito four nine inch "slitters between housings." These auxiliary unitsrnay. be placed inany suitable position along iii theshaftsor"arb'ors andheld in placeby an ingenious cam..,locking device. These units are interchangeable-* and 'may' beused' eitherontop' or bottom.

Each unit consists ofa block housing machined from solidsteel; Mounted within this block is theadjustin'g screw and roll housing for vertical adjustment, The ad justable"roll*housing is also machinedfrom a solidsteel block. Each roll housing contains three {accurately- 5 ground hardened-rolls' mou'nted on rollerbea'rings. These rolls rideon special hardened -and -precision ground spacers. Adjustme'nfl of vertical screw on each unit permits changing knives without removing units fro'ma setup position. y

In addition to'reducing -springto V a minimum-"these units also servein reducing the capital and replacementcostfas-sinalle'f shafts or 'arbcs'rs, knives and =spacer-s'in'ay be used. V

Another 'outstand ifig' feature is th'e' 'guides'and rest: bar arrangement. 7 This arrangement consists of top and? bottom rest bars on both the' entry and'deliverysidem These runthe full width ofthe 'slittejrJ They are 'set'c but3" from the vertical cerite1'--of the shafts or arborsf: on each side. This results-'in a sp'an of-only 6 for-= finger guides as compared to as-rnueh:as-24" on conventional slitters. Rest bars are fully adjustable to obtain the"clo'sest possible clearance as related to the; slitter knives andsteel; whichfis' necessary for good slitting This 'desi'gn also eliminates the necessity 'of using eX- pensive specially made guides; All guides used; both finger and fill-in, are cut to width from hardwood boards. Therefore, short "span finger guides do not ride on the; spacers. Bothsides of the finger guides can, therefore -be usedw Most-slitters; particularly when used in connection with 'power slitting embody a pair of pinch rolls, that; is,'- a pairof cooperable rolls positioned ahead of the slitting iknives adapted to'feed the stock into the knives. 1 Such-'pinchrolls are, asa rule, driven-by the same electric motor; or source of'power as .the shafts or. arborsf, upon" which the knives are mounted, .andflare' conse-" qutentlywrunrat. the same angular, speed asp the slitting knives." It is, therefore, apparent that the slitting knives must be identical in relative diameter with the pinch rolls or'that somemeans must be provided'for quickly and" effectively releasing. the-pinch rolls so that 1" they will either free-wheel or be released entirely in order to; preventthe -metal being slit from. buckling between i the=pi-nch rolls and the slitting knives.

In viewofthe cost of the 'slittingknives; they are" regroundwhen they become dull rather thanbeing 1'eplaced. It-isa parentthat any appreciable amount .of re-grinding: WiIlfchangethe effective diameter of the; knivesQthereby causinga different lineal travel on :the'" periphery (er the knives as related to the pinch rollsi ltis-alsolone of the objects of my invention to provide" means for instantaneously releasingthe pinch rolls after the, stock'has been fed into the knives and ontothe reel;

Further additional means for completely immobilizing the: action of, the pinch rolls byseparating same has -been incorporated in my design. v

ltis also among thefobjectsbf invention to-produce' a 's'litt'er having 'numerous new and novel det'ails of construction which add to the over-all efiiciency of the slitter, which tend to increase the life of the slitter thereby -reducing the-cost of maintenance, andwhich result in'a more satisfactory-operation. H q o Other 1 and furthenobjects and advantages of my "in-Q ventionwillbecome-apparent from the drawings and (the sp'ecificationsrelativethereto.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial back elevation of a slitter embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the slitter shown in Figure 1 taken from the left.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure Figure 4 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Figure Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the upper portion of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view ure 8.

Figure 10 is an end sectional elevation taken on line 10-10 of Figure 5.

Figure 11 is an end elevational section taken 1111 of Figure 5.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary plan view of the guide members and controls.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line 1313 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a section taken on line 14-14 of Figure 7.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the locking device taken on line 1515 of Figure 9.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary detail of a quick releasing mechanism for the pinch rolls.

The embodiment of my invention chosen for purposes of illustration in the drawings is composed of two main divisions, the feeding mechanism and the slitting mechanism. For purposes of clarity and simplification, each of these elements will be treated separately and the details discussed in connection therewith.

FEEDING MECHANISM The feeding mechanism is composed of three essential elements, namely, an entry roll assembly designated generally 20 (Figure 7), a pinch roll assembly designated generally 21, and a guide roll assembly designated generally 22.

taken on line 99 of Figon line Entry roll assembly The entry roll assembly 20 is composed of two complementary parts, each of which comprises a pair of vertically disposed cylindrical rolls 2S and 26 rotatably disposed by means of bearings 27 and 28 (Figure 14) in an L-shaped frame 29 having a cap 30 secured to the top thereof by means of a cap screw or bolt 31. The foot of the frame 29 rests on a plate 32 formed with a longitudinal groove 33. It will be understood that the width of the groove 33 corresponds with the width of the foot of the frame 29 and is adapted to prevent lateral displacement of the roll assembly.

The plate 32 is also formed with a longitudinal slot 34 having an undercut or wider section 35. The foot of the frame 29 is formed with a plurality of apertures 36 adapted to receive nut-and-bolt assemblies 37 and 38. The heads 39 and 40 are disposed in the undercut portion 35 of the slot 34, it being understood that the width of the slot 34 is less than the width of the head, so that they may not pull through. The heads 39 and 40 are formed with flat sections adapted to engage the sides of the undercut portion 35 to prevent turning. It is, therefore, readily apparent that upon tightening the nut-and-bolt assemblies 37 and 38, the frame 29 will be held securely in position.

The plate 32 is secured to a frame member 42 which is a part of the general framework of the apparatus.

It will be understood that the entry roll assembly, such as is shown in detail in Figure 14, is duplicated, that is, there is one on each side of the slitter and it is adapted to guide the sheet stock as it is being fed into the pinch rolls preparatory to slitting and to prevent lateral displacement thereof.

Pinch roll assembly and is provided with a head member 54 secured to the 8 upright posts 51 and 52 by means of the bolts 55 and 56.

The head member 54 is formed with an internally threaded boss 57 adapted to receive a threaded shaft 58 having a control handle 59 disposed on the top thereof. A bearing block 60 is slidably disposed between the posts 51 and 52. A compression spring 61 is disposed between the bearing block 60 and a pressure plate 62. The shaft 58 abuts against the pressure plate 62 so that by rotation of the shaft 58 threading it downwardly through the head 54, a greater pressure is applied to the bearing block 60 by means of the compression spring 61.

A stationary bearing block 63 is also disposed between the posts 51 and 52.

It will be understood that the mounting means just described is duplicated on each side of the slitting machine and is provided with bearing blocks in axial alignment with the bearing blocks 60 and 63.

A pair of pinch rolls 64 and 65 are rotatably disposed in or between the complementary bearing blocks. The roll 64 is free-wheeling, by that is meant, it has no source of power directly connected thereto; whereas, the roll 65 is connected with a source of power, the details of which are illustrated in Figure 4.

The bottom roll 65 is coupled with a shaft 67 having one-half 68 of a split clutch slidably but non-rotatably disposed thereon, the other half 69 of the split clutch being non-rotatably, non-slidably secured to the end of a shaft 70. The shaft 70 is supported by pillow blocks 71 and 72 and carries a sprocket 73 which is connected by means of a chain 74 to a sprocket 75. The sprocket 75 is nonrotatably secured to a shaft 76 which has disposed thereon in slidable non-rotatable engagement one-half 77 of a split clutch. The other half 78 of the split clutch is secured to a sub-shaft 79 to which is secured sprocket 80, the sprocket 80 being associated with a source of power by means of a chain drive 81.

The split clutch segment 68 is controlled by means of a yoke 82 and a rod 83. The rod 83 extends outwardly to the ends of the slitting machine and has a handle 84 disposed on the end thereof so that lateral displacement of the handle 84 causes a pivoting action on the yoke 82 to engage or disengage the two halves 68 and 69 of the split clutch for engaging or disengaging the rolls 65 from the source of power.

The compression spring 61 bears downwardly on the bearing block 60, thereby urging the roll 64 in cooperation with the roll 65. A sheet of raw stock 85 is fed between the rolls and due to the frictional engagement and the power-driven rotation of the roll 65, is forced to feed therebetween causing rotation of the roll 64. It will readily be apparent that when the roll 64 is raised from contact with the sheet 85, the frictional engagement between the roll 65 and the sheet 85 is lost and the pinch rolls no longer drive the sheet through the slitting operation. A means for quickly releasing the pressure of the roll 64 is provided.

Quick release means It will readily be seen that rotation of the cam 93 about the pins 96 will cause an upward movement of the eccentric boss 94, thereby pulling the link member 91 upwardly until the bottom of the slot 92 engages the pin thereby pulling the bearing block 60 upwardly and disengaging the roll 64 from contact with the material 85.

Guide roll assembly The guide roll assembly 22 (Figures 7, l2 and 13) is positioned between the pinch roll assembly 21 and the slitting knives and is adapted for more accurate adjustment and guiding function than the entry rolls 20.

A plate 100 is secured to the general frame between the pinch rolls and the slitting knives and is formed with a longitudinal dove-tail groove 101. A roll carriage 102 is slidably disposed on the plate 100 and is provided with a dove-tail tongue 103 adapted to slidably fit in the dovetail groove 101.

The dove-tail tongue 103 is formed with a longitudinal the handle 106. The shaftu109 isvprovided with a handle for rotation thereof.

Tfiethreadson one of -the?-=shaft'sand carriagesare right-hand while the threadswn the other a'ssenrbly are leff-h'andk' Therefore? rotation" of 'bo'th' wheels106 and 110 in, the same directio An L-shaped"-base formed with a pl-uralit'y 'lof apertures ll at one dge' the" of is di'sposed on -top of the-carriage plate 102? and a cap 11:7 's -secu red onthe -t0p th'ereof5 The top 1157 "and' th sha ed 1 base- 30 members ll-"5 are secured 'to' 'the carriage plate f102 by means of a plurality of bolts, such as-the bolts-11 A I roll 119 isdisposed in fea'chof-I the aperture's by means -of a:bolt 120 an'd'-' is freely rotatable there The center of rotation of each of the rolls lies 011 a c'otn' mon '1ine and-=eaeh' of-the -ro'l ls has a substantial ident ic'al diameter so that sheet stools bein fd into the shi ter will ibe-guid'ed Iby' each of the ro1ls---119;

SLI'ITING MECHANISM'I" 40 The slitting mechanism comprises in kgenera'l' a pair of; endifriames: designateclz-sgenerally1%135Wand (Figures zl and-5-) -adapted:to:support1the" slitting rolls dsi'g-t nated generally 13.7I'and::138;i a trus'ssl39' extendingzibee1 tweenwsaid zframes; and a gear trai'nuadapted to deliverfiz 5 power for: powers rotation of botha'. ofiisaidzslittingiirolls: 137 and-138;

Endwframes The end' frame 135" is slidably dispesed "on the. eneral 1 1. frame" and is 'readil y rern'iav'a'ble from" the" endf'of t splitting rolls J 137 and" 138 A r frepairls'for"replacementof the slitting-knives. T frame 136 'is'sec'ured" to the general .frame in a "fixe .po'sition."

In describing. the detailsofconstructionjof the end frame 135', reference is made: tofFi gure 2*where1'n'the" details'are" more iclearly"set'forthi A h p v Theframe135-compflises essentiallyga basef140h'av i a .dependingitongue"141 adapted tofitin a longitudin groove 142 of '1 the base p1ate1143, a"ip'air of'y pa'rallel upright leg's 145 and 146" formed with complementary. bearing surfaces "147 anti-148;: "and fa head 149"adjoin ing'tthe top "of" the t-'le gsf'145f aud -T146. Bearing-blocks: 150'iand 151 are slidably' disposed betweenf the:'bearin"g"' surfaces 147" and 148" and are retained? in position' by means of retaining tpl'ates l52 and 153.1 The"bearin'gf block 150 abuts"against the' upperr surface "oftheff-ba's=* 140: The {bearing fblocki 15 1 's ve'rtiically' adjli'sta'bl'ei' the" purpose and details "ofwhich ill be'explain'edlater?- Eachl'of theheating blocks 150. and'flSl i are"forined with parallel bores'-"155fand.156 (Figured), respec-" tiv'ely; adapted: to 'reeeive' be ings fsneh sas the dean roller be'arings 157 "and 15 Grease TetainErpIa'te's 159 and 160 are secured: the""bearin"gibloc.ks"ovef theen'dsofthe respective bor I The-"head'l49 (Figure= -2)' orm'ed with a thread d! a boreadaptedi to"'receive thehr eadedrshaft'flfik The bearing bldck lSl is fsuspended frorn he lowerenwmf theshaft"-162-'-'so that" rotation-off the shaft by""mea' of' thet handle*163 effecfs *a verticaladjustmenf of'the' bearing-block 151 g 80 The base member 140.is formed with a threaded }bore""- 1651(Figure"5) adapted" to*='rcceive .a t

tionroficthehandle lswcanses lafesal movement.of the hare ,7 I I H fram Referfiiigto l i'gures fiand-9,each of'thesupport bear slitting [mitts-g;-

i and anextensionofshaft- 76 such" as! at 1 72'Tand1173, on? bothlendgs f thereofa Slitting. knives; :siich fas" 174 and: 176, tonnes" as'ah 'annu disposed over the" shafts and 76,- respectively; an'd' aretspaced afigart.bytspacers 176 and17 7 It willbe kniVe'sTto .p' p ribbon" "stock' which is the h .i t

Thefbearing i oumaisnn are rotata'b1y disp'os'ed iin; the bearing'sf15'6' and 1157'. The supported by b'e'arin'gs""1 78 H orted by theend membemss.

frame as to'jwidtli:

ce the? desired thicknessflor "Width of. the

"' and 179; respectively, sup;

member 184 sup- The shaft 170 has secured thereto in non rotati'onal" engagement by any suitable messy-such as keying, a gearyl90w The--gear= l90- is in -mesh With agear 191 192 A =gear- 19 the gears-191a is -ini mesh: with Thetshaft-76 is connectedto the source'ofppwer', as p cv shaft 76 is controlledi n its axial positionbylmeans of a controlled-at its other/end ItTis, therefore; possible to ohtain a much greater adjustmen'tinflthe kniv'es permittin'gIknives-to here-ground more times ,Whic'h' resultsl diameter. of "the knives.- in'amaterialsavingswhn the excessive cost of'the knives is considered.

in a greater reduction in Intermdidte 'bearings':

lnsl'itting meet? art-ic'uiziny' sheet. metal having. a i

ofathe-sheet capable of beinghandlcd. I have provided I and designed a"sl-itterfhaving a relatively Widelslitting capacity; hence,'*a relatively longi'shaft "supporting'i the .sl'ittirigf knives"; Were these shafts unsiipported, they would either haveto bernade exc orderuto'fgovercome both of th'e'se' objections, I have I provided"intermediate beari'n'gs'ffor the shaft. As illus'-- "trated 1n strings; designated generally 210, adapted to support -"thef upper 'shaft,f-an d three'sets of bearings. designated; generally "211; adapted to "support the lower end result ofLth'e slitting bearing journal's" 173 are'" haftf" 182-Eand is supported" the carriage 135- is" support 'the slitting";

which-iscarried;in--non rotational engagement on a shaft 3 is also keyedtc the sh-aft;192= so that Iii- 193 rotateras a unit. The-gear- 193" ;an idlingwgear 195whiehin turn meshes with a gear 196. The gear 196=is ke'yedvto the shaft 76.

usly explained,l-through thefsplit'clutch 77 and 78 F s'ucnan. arrangement results ssivelylarger in diam eter'ior 'would'i besubjeet to considerable displacement."

ings comprises a plurality of rollers 212 rotatably supported on shaft 213 having an axis parallel with the axls of the shaft 170 and adapted to ride on the knife spacers 176.

The rolls 212 are supported by a housing 214 having an upwardly extending boss 215 internally threaded at 216. The boss 215 is formed with a slot 217 adapted to receive a key 218.

A carriage block 219 is formed with an aperture 220 adapted to slidably receive the boss 215, the side wall of which is formed with a slot 221 adapted to receive the key 218 so that the boss 215 cannot rotate in the bore or aperture 220.

A shaft 223 having its lower end threaded is in threaded engagement with the bore 216 so that rotation thereof causes upward or downward movement of the carriage 210 in order to regulate the pressure of the rolls 212 against the spacers 176.

A plate 224 having a bore 225 adapted to receive the shaft 223 is disposed on top of the carriage 219. Thrust collars 226 and 227 are secured to the shaft 223 to prevent upward or downward movement thereof with respect to the carriage 219. It will be understood that the plate 224 is securely fastened to the carriage 219 by means of cap screws or bolts, such as 228.

The carriage 219 is formed with outwardly projecting shoulders 230 and 231 on top and bottom thereof defining a channel therebetween.

The truss previously designated by the general number 139 comprises a'pair of channel members 233 and 234 secured between the end carriages 135 and 136, each of which is formed with an inwardly directed tongue 235 and 236 in opposed relation. The tongues 235 and 236 are complementary with the channel defined by the shoulders 230 and 231, so that the carriage member 219 is longitudinally slidable with respect to the truss members 233 and 234.

Locking means The carriage 219 is formed with a vertical bore 240 (Figure 9) adjacent one of the truss members, such as 233. A horizontal bore 241 and a horizontal slot 242 all intersect at a common point. A stud 243 having a cam 244 non-rotatably secured to the lower end thereof is disposed in the bore 240.

A pin 245 (Figure 15) having a shoulder 246 at the inner end thereof is inserted in the bore 241 and is urged against the cam 244 by means of a coil spring 247. A guide bushing 248 is disposed in the outer end of the bore 241.

It will be seen that rotation of the shaft 243 causes rotation of the cam 244, thereby urging the pin 245 outwardly against the truss member 233 to lock the carriage 219 in position.

Each of the truss members 233 and 234 are formed with horizontal tongues 253 and 254 (see Figure disposed on either end thereof and adapted to fit in a transverse groove 272 and 273 formed in the upper end of the end frames 135 and 136. The truss members are secured to the end frame 136 by means of bolts 249 and are secured to the end frame 135 by means of bolts 250. The bolt 250 is provided with a spacer sleeve 251.

When it is desired to change the cutting knives, the nut 252 is removed and the sleeve 251 taken off the bolt 250 so that the carriage or end frame 135 can be moved laterally to the left in Figure 5. The bolt 250 remains in position to support the trusses 233 and 234.

Guide bars The end frames, such as the end frame 135 in Figure 7, are provided with vertical side plates 255 and 256, each of which is formed with horizontal flanges 257 and 258, each of the horizontal flanges being formed with a threaded bore adapted to receive adjusting bolts 259 and 260. Guide bars 261 and 262 are positioned adjacent the entry and exit of the upper knives, and guide bars or guide rest bars 263 and 264 as they are frequently known are positioned adjacent the entry and exit of the lower cutting knives. For further details of these guide bars, reference is made to Figure 6.

Each of the guide bars is formed with an oblique face, such as 265, so that the inner lower edge can extend as far as possible inwardly towards the point of tangency of the cutting knives 174 and 175 in order to lend support to the ribbon stock 85 being slit by the knives.

The guide bars adjacent the discharge side of the knives are formed with undercut grooves 266 and 267 adapted to receive guide plates 268 and 269.

The guide plates 268 and 269 are preferably formed of a hard or semi-hard wood which is readily and inexpensively replaceable in the event of excessive wear.

Surface plates 270 and 271 are secured to the guide bars 261 and 263, respectively, the surface plates 270 and 271 being preferably formed of a hardened metal to give a long-wearing surface, but are readily replaceable in the event of excessive wear without replacing the entire guide bar. Thus, it will be seen that the stock 85 being slit by the cutting knives is fully supported throughout the entire slitting machine.

Safety lock Referring to Figures 1 and 5, it will be noted that the knives 174 and 175 and the spacers 176 and 177 are secured onto the shafts 76 and 170, respectively, by means of split nuts 275 and 276.

After the carriage has been moved outwardly to the left in Figures 1 and 5, the nuts 2.75 and 276 must be removed in order to re-position the slitting knives. To do this, one or both of the shafts 76 and must be securely held against rotation.

In order to restrain the shafts against rotation, I have provided a collar 280 keyed to the shaft 76.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the collar 280 is formed with at least one tapered hole 281. A bracket 282 formed with a boss 283 having an internally threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded shaft 285, is secured to the frame.

The shaft 285 is provided with a handle 286 and is associated with a lever 287 adapted to actuate a switch 288.

When the shaft 285 is moved inwardly so that the end thereof projects into the bore 281, the end of the lever 287 is removed from contact with the switch 288 which is the normally off micro-switch, it being understood that the switch 288 is in series with the main source of power to drive the slitter.

The end of the shaft 285 upon being inserted in the bore 281 prevents rotation of the collar 280 and, hence, the shaft 76. However, it is impossible so long as the shaft 285 is in engagement with the bore 281 to energize the motor because the switch 288 has been opened.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base, a stationary horizontal truss joining upper parts of the frame, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends in the frame, said shafts being continuous from end to end, one of said shafts having a direct drive thereto, a bearing member at each end of the other shaft having a vertically movable mounting in the frame, and adjusting means for each bearing member adapted to move the bearing member up and down, a gear on said other shaft, an idler gear spaced laterally from said first identified gear and meshing therewith and a gear train from the idler gear to the direct drive, axially shiftable spacers on the shafts and oppositely disposed slitting knives between the spacers arranged in pairs so that the application of shearing force on each strip is in the same vertical direction, a plurality of sets of oppositely disposed independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members, one member of each set having a longitudinally shiftable mounting on the truss and the other member of each set having a longitudinally shiftable mounting on the base, and adusttng means on the auxiliary bearing members in each set adapted to force said auxiliary bearing members into contact with a respective collar on the immediately adacent shaft midway between the next laterally adjacent slitting knives.

2. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base, end members on the base and a stationary horizontal truss joining the end members, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends :thereof in ttherframeiiahd v eont-inuous: :f rom end tolyend, one of; -said ,1 shafts ;having;-a-:fixed "POSIHOD i-1n :;sa1d frame and a direct drive 'zthereto,

ing in thev frame, for each bearing of independently, adjustable ,oppositelyfdispdsed, auxiliary r en ers,v one. membenj trnss, andtona line. passing through-the axe shafts, and pairs of axiallyshift ,base-and astationaryhorizontal s of the frame, a, pair ofupper and e-lower paialllihori i zontal shafts mounted at opposite ends thef'of'rin. the

frameand continuous from end having a direct drive thereto,. .-.end of the other shaft, algearaonqs'aid other shaft, an

,eidler; gear to the direct drive, the shafts andoppositelydisp ,knives between the vspacers,

a bearingrmeniberrat each end ofvthe 'othershafthavinga vertically movable mount- -ands an independent adjusting "means member :omsaid other shaft-adapted to move rthekbearingfi i-ter'uber-alp end-rdofvvntrelative toxthe frame, a gear on said other shaft, an idler gear spaced laterally from {said first identified gearrrneshin'g therewith and a gear ,t rain..lfrom .the,idler A ear-tothe direct drive, 5 axially shiftable "spacers on the affs, 'a"plurality of sets "each set being on the basezand-the other, rnember...o said' set being'en the of both i abl'eLslittingL-knives on the respective shaftsandbetween-thespacers' i 3. A sheet metal ,slittercomprisingga framehaving a truss joining upper ,parts to. end, one of saidYshafts a, bearing member at; each idler gear meshing therewith, and aigear trainlfrom the axially-shiftable :sp'a'cfer's on osed axially shiftab "slitting ,arplurality of sets.- of independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members op; positely disposed on a line passing through the centers bo hsh and shaving longitudinally shiftableiihountings on the truss on the base, said bearing members being adjustable to positions midway between adjacent bearing members, means adapted to secure said bearing members in the longitudinally shifted position, and adjusting means on each bearing member adapted to force said bearing member into contact with a respective collar on the immediately adjacent shaft.

4. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base, upwardly directed end members on the base and a 40 stationary horizontal truss joining upper parts of the end members, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends thereof in the frame and continuous between said ends, the lower of said shafts having a fixed position in said frame, and a direct drive thereto, a bearing member at each end of the upper shaft having a vertically movable mounting in the respective end member, and adjusting means for each bearing member adapted to move the bearing member up and down in the respective end member, a long tooth gear on said upper shaft, a long tooth idler gear on substantially the same horizontal plane meshing therewith and a gear train from the idler gear to the direct drive, axially shiftable spacers on the shafts, a collar intermediate opposite ends of the spacers, and oppositely disposed axially shiftable slitting knives between the spacers, a plurality of sets of oppositely disposed independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members about midway between each pair of knives having longitudinally shiftable mountings with the mounting of one member of each set being on the horizontal truss and the mounting of the other member of each set being in the base, and adjusting means on each auxiliary bearing member all lying in the same plane as the plane of said first identified adusting means adapted to force said auxiliary bearing member into contact with the respective collar on the immediately adjacent shaft.

5. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base and a stationary horizontal truss joining upper parts of the frame, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends thereof in the frame and continuous from end to end, one of said shafts having a direct drive thereto, a bearing member at each end of the other shaft having a vertically movable mounting in the frame, and adjusting means for each bearing member adapted to move the end member up and down,

a gear on said other shaft, an idler gear spaced laterally from the first identified gear and meshing therewith and a gear train from the idler gear to the direct drive, axially shiftable spacers on the shafts and oppositely disposed axially shiftable slitting knives between the spacers, a plurality of sets of oppositely disposed independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members having longitudinally shiftable mountings respectively on the truss and the base extending throughout the entire lengths of the shafts .::and.: adjustingtmeans on Ta. r spective scollarpn and .,-pa' irs ofupper and adjustment in bet 6 fifi e be tmoun ed aaoppesite en s ther f in he frame: n 0

h ar ng; m be .-,a ac.

.a eee eei each shearing .:member;adapted i ry bearing member intogcontactywith tIIe .:-immediately. adjacent rshaft, pwier;guideirestrbars; ,onegpair :side.of:therhorizontalshaf sl a narate ans-i; between both the,upper. andethelllower uideresthars lldsthea ame;etiaptedgtombve,saidrguide st 7 bars p,; and down, to: conform .'.with :the shear line to forceisaid ianxil eington eacv ween .periandilower litting nives, he km akisli eri omprising a framejhavin a upwardly ire ted; 11d members, onai erbaseand a hq izgntalztruss joi naupper-parts-nf the end mempair f upperan lgwergparallel,horizontalsishafts tinuous from end to end, one of said,sha'ftsi having a fixedmqs iqn ins-s i framerand; atdirecrdrive, thereto, haend-pf thepther -;s haft,-.thav- ,vable m'quntipgihtherespectivelend em e, and adjusting ,mean'sfor;eachbearingmember fi plr d i0 m ver-th en Lmember ,upiandflown, a-agear ,on said other shaftuan idlerjgearspaced laterally with respes to s zfi sttdent fi d ge esh :t ew a ear lz a amt-tab e paee s m arm from thejdler gear; tog-theadirect' ;drive,;u-latthe shafts and .Oppositelwdisposed slitting knives therebetween, a. plurality of. sets, of adjustable sauxiliary :disposed longitudita fi: moa tingsain alignment Withrthebearing the mopnting of ,one member of,each..set;beingronjthe triiss and .the niqunting ,of; the -.other Inembernof reach set being in the base, and adjusting means on each auxiliary bearing member adapted to force said auxiliary bearing member into contact with a respective collar on the immediately adjacent shaft, and pairs of upper and lower guide rest bars, one pair being on each side of the horizontal shafts and having contiguous portions facing the shafts located within the V-shaped space between opposite slitting knives, separate adjusting means between the upper and the lower guide rest bars and the frame adapted to move said bars up and down to conform with the position of shear between upper and lower slitting knives, and guide plates of relatively soft material extending between the spacers on the opposite shafts and between oppositely disposed pairs of guide rest bars.

7. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base, a stationary horizontal truss having a longitudinal slot therein and joining upper parts of the frame, said base having a longitudinal slot therein parallel to said first slot, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends thereof in the frame and continuous from end to end throughout the length of the slot, one of said shafts having a direct drive thereto, a bearing member on each end of the other shaft having a vertically movable mounting in the frame, and adjusting means for each bearing member adapted to move the bearing member up and down, a gear train from said other shaft to the direct drive, axially shiftable spacing collars on the shafts having slitting knives between the spacing collars, and a plurality of pairs of oppositely located independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members extending throughout the length of the respective slots on the truss and on the base and located intermediate the ends of said shafts, each said auxiliary bearing member comprising a housing, horizontally mounted rollers in the housing adapted to roll in contact with the adjacent spacing collar, a boss on the housing, a roll adapted to receive the boss, said roll being slidably attached within the slotted truss for movement endwise with respect thereto, a plate bolted to the top of the roll and an adjusting screw swivelly mounted in the plate having a threaded connection with the boss and being adapted to move said housing up and down.

8. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base, means joining upper parts of the frame, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends in the frame, said shafts being continuous from end to end, one of said shafts having a drive thereto and the other having a drive connected to said one shaft, a bearing member'at each end of one of the shafts having a vertically movable mounting in the frame and adjusting means for each of said bearing members adapted to move said bearing members up and down, axially shiftable spacers: on the shafts and pairs of oppositely disposed slitting knives between spacers on the respective shafts arranged so that the application of shearing force on each strip is in the same vertical direction, a plurality of sets of oppositely disposed independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members, one member of said set being on the frame and the other member of said set being on said frame joining means, one member of each set having a longitudinally shiftable mounting on said frame above the shafts and the other member of each set having a longitudinally shiftable mounting on the frame below the shafts and adjustable means on the auxiliary bearing members in each set adapted to force said auxiliary bearing members into contact with a respective collar on the immediately adjacent shaft midway between the next laterally adjacent slitting knives.

9. A sheet metal slitter comprising a frame having a base and means joining upper parts of the frame, a pair of upper and lower parallel horizontal shafts mounted at opposite ends thereof in the frame and continuous from end to end, one of said shafts having a drive thereto and the other of said shafts being driven from said drive, a bearing member at each end of each said shaft, the bearing members of one of said shafts having an adjustment adapted to shift the location of the axes of the shafts with respect to each other, a plurality of sets of oppositely disposed independently adjustable auxiliary bearing members, one member of each set being on the frame and the other member of said set being on the frame joining means, pairs of oppositely disposed axially shiftable slitting knives on the shafts, and sets of guide rest bars each comprising a pair of upper and lower guide rest bars on each side of the shafts extending into the valley therebetween, and a separate adjusting means between the frame and each upper and lower guide rest bar whereby the center line between opposite faces of a strip traveling between the guide rest bars is adapted to be set so that each upper and lower slitting knife of a pair makes a shearing out half through the sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 299,982 Hodgson June 10, 1884 1,088,138 Firsching Feb. 24, 1914 1,257,321 Cumfer Feb. 26, 1918 1,353,634 Crandell Sept. 21, 1920 1,424,309 Johnson Aug. 1, 1922 1,594,883 Holmberg Aug. 3, 1926 1,614,425 Coe Jan. 11, 1927 1,787,558 Tinsman Jan. 6, 1931 1,989,136 1935 2,032,276 1936 2,181,173 1939 2,210,018 1940 2,271,459 McConnell Jan. 27, 1942 2,474,299 Alkisson et al. June 28, 1949 2,486,786 Holtshayser Nov. 1, 1949 2,573,332 Herman Oct. 30, 1951 2,613,571 Herman Oct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,714 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1933 

